This contemporary map of Europe
depicts current boundaries. When early peoples came to the islands area
during the beginning of recorded history, the boundaries of countries
shown were much different, if there were any boundaries at all. Boundaries
seemed to be set up between competing tribes, lines which tended to
fluctuate one way or the other or completely disappear, depending upon
which tribe was the stronger.

I'll try to locate an ancient map
which will depict boundaries six thousand years ago.

In order of their appearance in
written history, Early settlers to the islands were Firbolgs of debated
European extraction, with some opinions they came from the Middle East or
around Greece; Milisians who ostensibly came from Spain; Celts who came
from Gaul, now called Normandy; Anglo-Saxons from Normandy and Germany;
Romans who came from Rome, now Italy, who ostensibly brought Catholicism
to the UK; Vikings first from Denmark then from Norway, Barbarians who
came to conquer and plunder; and last the Normans who were purportedly
descended from Vikings who settled old Gaul, became Christians and learned
to speak French.

So to cut to the chase, they were
mostly Vikings and Celts, even the ones from Spain.

Those early peoples seem to have
arrived in the UK between 7500 BC and 1200 AD and spread out to settle
Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, and the outer
islands.

People who emigrated to the islands
since 1100 AD were generally of all faiths and of many races who mainly
came for peaceful purposes to trade, or in a few cases, to settle and
farm. After the Normans, no other countries besides Spain and Germany ever
tried to conquer the Emerald Isles.